Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Translator: Penny
Chapter 37
On the Streets (Part 1)
Before starting construction on the orphanage, Agron first visited the elderly Prelate who headed Kotaru's City Council.
After being guided through the grand entrance, he was greeted by opulent decorations and dazzling chandeliers.
Agron surveyed the interior, his eyes drawn to gold-trimmed candlesticks, jewel-encrusted portrait frames, and a collection of expensive liquor bottles filling one corner of the reception room.
"Welcome, Your Excellency, Count Agron."
"It is an honor to meet Bishop Blanc, an apostle of God," Agron replied with a courteous bow.
"Hahaha, I had hoped to meet the New Lord sooner, but it seems our meeting has been delayed," Bishop Blanc said with a smile, though his words carried a veiled rebuke.
In truth, when Agron ascended to the position of Lord, Bishop Blanc had been the first to reach out, seeking an audience.
However, Agron's side had declined his request.
At the time, Agron was overwhelmed with pressing matters and had even postponed the customary banquet for the nobility.
"Hmm, there's no need for such regret," Agron replied calmly, his expression unchanging, as if oblivious to the Bishop's true intentions.
Just then, a priest working at the Prelate's residence entered the reception room and began pouring red wine into a pristine glass.
With his keen sense of smell, Agron could immediately discern the wine's exceptional quality and exorbitant price, even from across the room.
"Heh heh heh, this is a Saint-Émilion from Bordeaux—my personal favorite," the Bishop chuckled.
"Hmm, I appreciate this," Agron said, accepting the glass from the priest.
The priest then retrieved a cigar from a heavy box and offered it to Agron with a gesture, asking if he would like to smoke.
"No, thank you. I'm fine," Agron declined.
The priest clipped the end of the cigar and placed it in the Bishop's mouth. He then set a box of cigar matches beside the Bishop before quietly retreating from the reception room.
"Does Your Excellency, the Lord, not smoke?"
"Warriors don't smoke. It makes breathing difficult during battle."
"But Your Excellency is a Count. Surely you won't need to fight personally anymore? You can simply order your subordinates to fight for you."
"Just as a divine apostle remains an apostle until death, a warrior remains a warrior until death."
"I see. Since this is one of the few pleasures the gods have granted me, this old man will indulge."
Bishop Blanc slowly lit his cigar, toasted it evenly, and drew in a deep puff.
The fragrant smoke filled his mouth, then billowed into the air, leaving behind a pungent, oaky aroma.
"...So, after all this time, why have you come to see this old man today?" Bishop Blanc asked, his expression slightly sour as he regarded Agron.
Agron studied his opponent intently.
With each movement the Bishop made, the elaborate gold embroidery on his robes shimmered in the sunlight streaming through the window.
"I plan to establish an orphanage on the outskirts of Kotaru."
"An orphanage...? Surely you don't intend to take in those mongrels from 'The Outside'?" Bishop Blanc asked, his face contorted with disgust.
"You know them well, then."
"Of course. Those creatures from 'The Outside' are beyond redemption. You'd be better off donating to the church; we'll ensure the funds are used appropriately."
"And where exactly is 'appropriately'?"
"Well... for the less fortunate, naturally."
"Aren't they the less fortunate?"
"...Perhaps. But their prayers never reached me."
"Their prayers didn't reach you?"
Bishop Blanc paused, took a puff of his cigar, and moistened his throat with wine.
The rumors about the New Lord being unusually peculiar proved true; every word he spoke left a bitter taste in the Bishop's mouth.
The Bishop's faint smile vanished, replaced by a cold, cynical expression as he spoke.
"Count, the City Council will never approve this plan."
"Do you agree, but the Council does not? Or do you also disagree?"
"...I share their view."
"Why?"
Bishop Blanc shook his head, his gaze fixed on Agron with contempt.
"I should be asking you that, Count. Are you trying to build a reputation? Do you want to be known as a 'good lord' to serfs, free men, or vagrants?"
There were lords like that sometimes—those who sided with wandering minstrels, beggars, prostitutes, and orphans instead of citizens, merchants, or knights.
Bishop Blanc saw such actions as nothing more than a pathetic display of self-righteousness.
They were trying to buy indulgences through such means.
How dare they try to cleanse their sins through such vile methods instead of paying the Church?
He wanted the wealthy and nobles to pay their due and receive absolution.
Wasn't that the very purpose of the Church, the way God intended?
"That has nothing to do with my achievements. I don't care about being praised as a good lord."
"Then why are you trying to help these subhuman creatures? Taxes aren't meant for such purposes."
"I'll fund it with my own money."
"...Still, it's unacceptable. The city's reputation will suffer."
Bishop Blanc was momentarily taken aback but remained firm in his stance.
He harbored deep suspicions about this lord.
Why would he go so far as to spend his own fortune to help beggars? What's his true motive?
At that moment, Agron leaned forward and asked Bishop Blanc, "Let me ask you this: is hypocrisy a sin, or is maliciousness a sin?"
"Huh?"
"They can't both be sins, can they? So which one is the true sin?"
"Well... hypocrisy..."
The Bishop, unable to discern the Lord's true intentions, decided to tread carefully with his response.
This insolent whelp! Daring to try such petty tricks on Blanc?
He resolved to shut the mouth of this hulking, dim-witted barbarian standing before him.
"Hypocrisy is a sin, Your Excellency," Bishop Blanc declared after a moment's deliberation.
"Hmm, hypocrisy is a sin, you say?"
"Indeed. The orphanage you plan to build, Count, is nothing but a monument to hypocrisy, and therefore sinful. Include this sin in your donation to the Church, and I will offer special prayers for your soul."
"I see. Very well."
"Will you purchase an Indulgence today, then?" Bishop Blanc asked with veiled insinuation.
Just as I thought. This is what happens when a naive young fool rushes in headfirst.
"But since you haven't built the orphanage yet, you haven't committed any sin, have you?"
"Huh? That's..."
"More importantly, you're saying that acting maliciously isn't a sin? Thank you for informing me."
"Heh heh heh, I'm glad you've learned this, even if it's late—"
CRASH!
In that instant, Agron slammed his fist into the table between them, splitting it in half.
Bishop Blanc froze, his eyes wide with shock, unsure what was happening.
For a split second, Agron's figure seemed to vanish, and then the bishop was suddenly lifted into the air.
Agron had seized Bishop Blanc by the neck and hoisted him toward the ceiling.
"Guh...!"
"Now no one will hear your cries."
"Guh... cough...!"
"Don't worry. I'll let you breathe occasionally to keep you alive."
Just then, someone knocked on the door from outside.
It was the priest who had brought the wine earlier.
"Bishop, is everything alright in there? I heard a commotion and came to check."
"Gah...! Gulp!"
"Nothing's wrong!" Agron shouted.
"Huh? B-but the noises..."
"I am the Lord of Veilain! Do you dare doubt my word?!"
"H-hic! My apologies!"
The priest fled, his shoes flying off as he scrambled away from Agron's furious roar.
Bishop Blanc was beside himself with rage and frustration. He thrashed wildly in Agron's arms, desperate to escape, but it was futile. To Agron, the old bishop's struggles were no more than the squirming of a small puppy.
"Gah... Gulp...!"
"What are you even saying?" Agron asked, looking up at Bishop Blanc. The bishop's face was flushed crimson, as red as the wine he had just drunk.
"G-gulp...! Hic, gulp...!"
"I'm sorry, but your prayers are lost on me."
Agron smirked, raising his right hand into a flicking position.
"Tell me when you're about to die."
Flick!
"Ugh...!"
The flick struck Bishop Blanc's knee directly, shattering his kneecap into pieces.
The elderly Prelate drooled like a dog, his body trembling violently as if convulsing.
This time, Agron's hand moved toward the other knee.
Flick!
"Ugh... Hngh...!"
Bishop Blanc's face flushed crimson, then darkened to a purplish-black as his eyes rolled upward.
Agron tossed him to the ground like a discarded rag.
"Cough! Cough! Hack! Gasp...!"
"I'll say it again. I intend to build an orphanage on the outskirts of Kotaru."
"Cough...! Do you really think you'll get away with this...? I'll report your crimes to the Church and expose the Count's sins..."
"Isn't hypocrisy considered a virtue?"
"...Hah... But..."
"I clearly consulted you, the Prelate of this Diocese, before acting."
Bishop Blanc bit his lip.
Agron was right; he had spoken first.
"...Still, treating the weak so carelessly..."
"Was ignoring the children from 'The Outside' not careless treatment?"
"Th-their prayers were insufficient—"
"That won't do."
Agron tore Bishop Blanc's ornate robes and stuffed them into his mouth.
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
"Bishop Blanc, are you a warrior?"
"Mmph...?"
Blanc frowned at Agron, as if asking what he meant.
In that instant, Agron twisted his hands, and blood spurted from the Bishop's forearms.
"Mmmph! Ugh!"
"Endure! Let your prayers reach me! You can endure!"
"Mmmph! Ugh!"
"Yes! Pray with tears! You're doing well!"
For the first time in his life, Bishop Blanc prayed aloud to God.
"The City Council actually approved it?" Lawrence and Baek Woon asked incredulously.
"They did. Why don't you believe me?"
"You... you killed them, didn't you? You went to the City Council, slaughtered everyone, and held the meeting yourself, right?"
"What do you take me for? I resolved it peacefully."
"..."
But no one believed Agron's words—except for Elena.
"As expected of you, Master! You're becoming more and more like a Wise Ruler. This Elena has fallen for you all over again!"
"Hmm, Elena's the only one who believes me."
"Would you believe your own words if you were me?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
Lawrence couldn't even muster a hollow laugh.
Look at that shameless face.
He genuinely seemed to be asking out of ignorance.
"Agron, haven't I told you before? The citizens of the fief are innocent. You mustn't kill them."
"Elder, do you think I'm some kind of murderer? That I'd just kill anyone who disobeys me?"
"Little brat! Don't you trust your Master?! He's not the kind of person who would do such a thing!"
"Ugh..."
Baek Woon's lips curved downward as he observed Agron's earnest expression and Elena's sharp gaze.
He then turned his attention to Jacob.
"Tell me, Jacob. Are they all truly alive?"
"Yes, Master Daoist... they're all alive."
"Then why do you look so troubled?"
"Well..."
Jacob glanced nervously at Agron.
"Hmm, you can speak freely."
"They're all alive, but... over the past few days, members of the City Council have been appearing with limps or bandages on both arms."
"...Is that what you call 'unharmed'?" Lawrence asked, his voice incredulous.
"I never lied. You asked if I killed them, and I answered that I didn't."
"Exactly, Master! I knew you hadn't killed them!"
"Hey! You said you resolved it peacefully, through dialogue!"
"We did talk. There was a brief physical exchange, but my heart remained truly peaceful throughout. Isn't that a peaceful resolution?"
"You lunatic!"
"Exactly, Master!"
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny